I’m concerned that the requirement to warranty dental care will harm the public due to the influences dental warranties will have upon treatment presentation and decision making.       

Dentistry is both a profession and a business that we all rely upon to support our families and provide a moderate standard of living.   Although a crown may be the ideal standard of care, why would I recommend a crown if I have to warranty it?   I may “patch” a filling, that although meets a minimal standard, is a far inferior long term treatment choice.  Will I recommend an extraction rather that a crown, knowing that a four Mountain Dew a day habit will destroy any care I provide and therefore be forced to extend a warranty?   We face daily less than ideal treat plan situations and discuss openly with our patients the benefits and risks of care when we have less than an ideal prognosis.   These discussions lead patients to make decisions of informed consent.   Will I continue to do this if it is going to cost me money to replace a crown?  Teeth ravaged by decay and the need for endodontics, symptomatic cracked teeth, periodontally involved teeth.   Why not just recommend extraction to protect me and my business profit margin?  I can’t control what a patient does when they leave my office.

We as a profession are ethical and morally bound to provide a standard of care based upon mutually agreed upon treatment plans and iformed consent .  Leave us alone to do it.